THE last of four qualifiers for the Junior Equitation section at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show was held last Sunday at the Cavan Equestrian Centre, where a delighted Sophie Kinsella claimed the first ticket on offer in the 138cm class with Hollywood One 2 Watch.
The Connemara gelding is owned by an equally-delighted Debbie McCann, owner/breeder of the grey, who commented: “You’d have to be pleased with that as he’s just a five-year-old and had done nothing really before the previous qualifier at Maryville except jump on a couple of temporary tickets.
“He’s by Kippure Little Big Chief, who was a Grade A jumper, out of a Robe Earl mare (Mooncoyne Ailbhe). As ‘Chief’ has a home here for life with me, and I wanted him to enjoy it out in the fields with others, I had him gelded a few months ago. On Saturday, a daughter of his, the Widgers’ Poynstown Penny, qualified for the 138cm Grade A class at Dublin.
“This is the first year that Sophie has ridden for me and she did a great job on Sunday, as she was first to go. She has also been trying to qualify in show jumping and working hunters. She is passionate about riding.”
In winning this 44-runner class, Kinsella amassed 98 marks on board Hollywood One 2 Watch.
Golden tickets
Also bagging a ticket on Sunday to qualify by right were Ella Finnegan on the Connemara gelding Raclaghy Domono (95.5), a nine-year-old son of Murvey Chelton; Sadie Lynch with the 17-year-old bay mare Inchydoney (93); and Louisa Dalton on the 11-year-old dun gelding Dellboy II (92), who have also qualified for the working hunter pony section at Dublin.
Rachel Westphal finished fifth on Shona Lynch’s previously-qualified 23-year-old Grange Kings Surf mare Clonross Giselle (85.5), winners of the 138cm final last August.
High-quality fare
Leading show horse producer Jane Bradbury judged her fourth and final qualifier for the Junior Equitation classes at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show last Sunday at Cavan, after which she commented: “It’s a great series and certainly the limited places available are very much sought after.”
And she should know following three previous long days at Mullingar (on May 3rd), Barnadown (May 17th) and Maryville (June 21st), where she saw many of the same combinations travelling the country in a bid to secure a ticket for the two finals which, despite being part of the showing schedule, are traditionally held on the final morning of the show in Simmonscourt.
153cm qualifier
One young rider who has clearly impressed Bradbury is Co Tipperary’s Emily Appleby, who is coached at Greg Broderick’s Ballypatrick Stables. The 14-year-old won the 153cm qualifier at Barnadown on Brian Cassidy’s Killaloe Stepping Out and partnered the same 2013 dun gelding to victory on Sunday, having amassed 99.5 marks.
From a racing background, as is Appleby, Co Wexford’s Lily Walsh thus bagged the first qualifying ticket when finishing second on 98 marks with her mother Jenny’s Irish Sport Horse mare Uilinn Gleorte (Vivant van de Heffinck - Uilinn Dearg, by Freeman VDL). Just a five-year-old, the bay was bred by Martin Clancy.
Also securing a ticket on Sunday were Sophie Morrin with the seven-year-old piebald gelding Cappog Lui Surprise (91); Charlotte Nelson on the eight-year-old French-bred Connemara gelding Icefyer Dansant (90.5), a palomino son of Totem du Martray; and Eabha Joyce on board another Connemara gelding, the Ross Fear Bui six-year-old Myrahs Boy (89).
The finals at Dublin will be judged by New York’s James Doyle over a track designed by Aaron McCusker. Last year’s champion was Ellie Rogan, winner of the 153cm final on the Connemara gelding Tullaree Fear Bui.